Sunday, May 28, 2006

For some reason I got bit by the "must finish something" bug yesterday. Thankfully, I have many projects in the "almost finished" category. I decided to pick up the Baby Bolero from Debbie Bliss' Cashmerino Baby II. I'd finished everything except for sewing up one side, sewing in the ends, and doing the edging. I improvised on the edging, because it called for about 2 feet of 5 stitch wide garter stitch, which was then to be sewn along the front, neck, and back. Honestly, I had no interest in dull work like that, so I crocheted the edge.

I think it turned out well, and with use, it will get better. I find that crocheted edges need wear to look their best. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Baby in a pretty raspberry color. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but the sleeves are 3/4 length, which will be great for the warmer weather.

I think part of my need to finish some things comes from my desire to get the house cleaned up. I've realized that I have way too much yarn, and way to many WIPs.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

There's a time, early in the morning that the cat is different from his usual "I'll pounce on you, then you chase me" self. Before anyone else is up in the morning, and the house is still quiet, the cat makes squinty faces at me and cuddles up to me as closely as he can. No one believes me when I say he is very cuddly with me, because he's so the opposite most of the time, and won't cuddle with anyone else.

This picture is of said "cuddly cat" on vacation with us last weekend. We went up to the cabin for the weekend. He caught his first snake (a garter snake), badly maimed it, then delivered it to the kitchen for us. Stu spent the rest of the morning trying to keep the cat from bringing the snake back in the house. I've never seen such a proud kitty.

I got some video of the cat running around with it. It's not great quality though, since it's just the video feature from my digital camera. Here is a link to the video that Stu kindly posted to Google Video.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

As you all know, I'm a sock knitter. I can knit lace, but as far as sock knitting has gone for the past few months, I just can't bring myself to actually knit a lace sock. I keep casting on, and everything is going well, but then I just don't feel like doing it anymore so I frog it.

I don't know why I keep doing this. I feel like I've advanced past the rib and stockinette sock, but I don't feel like knitting anything but that. Maybe I should remember that I knit because I enjoy it, and not to do fancy things that I don't want to do.

Oh, and I've been crocheting too. I've been using some lovely Fleece Artist mohair and boucle to make a stole/scarf/lap blanket. Can you tell I'm not sure how wide it's going to end up? I'm just going to keep going til I'm out of yarn.

Do you want to hear something unfair? I found out today that you can get a radio tuner for iPods, and I was ecstatic. Unfortunately, it's only for the Nano (which I don't have), and the iPod video (the newest generation). I just got my iPod last spring, and already it's out of date. At least I'm getting a lot of use out of it now that I'm working. Since most people at work don't treat the admin department like they're people, we are allowed to listen to our iPods at work. I probably use mine for about 6 hours every weekday.

Work is still really bothering me, but I've decided that I'm going to keep the job for now, and just complain about it more.

The math is still going well, although I'm not as far along as I had planned to be by the end of this week. Oh well, there's always next week!

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Hi guys! I know, it's been a while. I'm not going to keep apologizing for it. You know I blog when I can.

I've done something weird, and very unlike me! I'm taking a math class! Yes, math because I want to. How many people finish a degree, then 3 months later decide to take a math class. I bet not many.

I've always avoided math like the plague, but for some reason I really want to learn it and be good at it. So far it's going pretty well.

I've been knitting a bit too. I finished a sock. Yes, only one. It's plain and simple and was quick to knit up. I'm going to save pics for when I finish the second one, which I've already cast on for and have completed about an inch of.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?I like natural fibers. I do not like novelty or eyelash or any weird stuff like that. I like wools of all sorts, the softer the better. I've always wanted to try Trekking XXL. Oh, and I'm a total sock yarn addict.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?My fancy Lantern Moon silk needle case.

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?I'd say I'm advanced. I've been knitting off and on since I was 5. I've only been really serious about it for the last 3-5 years though.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?I garden, crochet (only a little though, I prefer knitting). Yes I know how to spin, but I don't because it takes up too much valuable knitting time.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD).I like all kinds, I'm absolutely loving Nickelback right now. Yes I'm mp3 equipped.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I love all colours, brights, pastels, whatever. I tend not to go with reds though. I love vivid blues mixed with pale ones. Almost all my yarn is variegated sock yarn.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?I have a "man pet" and a "cat pet". The "man pet" eats all edibles my pal sends. He's still enjoying the Hello Kitty fruit snacks from SP 7!

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?Not really

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?Socks!

13. What are you knitting right now?Socks

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?Yes!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?Addi Turbos all the way.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?Yes, both.

17. How did you learn to knit?My grandma taught me when I was about 5

18. How old is your oldest UFO? A couple of years

19. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas.

20. Is there anything that you collect? Just yarn.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?I don't have any subscriptions, and I'm sure there are some books, I just can't think of any right now.

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?Not really.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?Yes. I'm an 8.5